St. Patrick’s Day Weekend: An Irish Movie Marathon

England's G.K. Chesterton once said that the Irish “are the men that God made mad, for all their wars are merry, and all their songs are sad.”

Irish art is full of myth, legend, and drama, interwoven with folklore and Catholicism, possessing both joy and tragedy (sometimes at once). This St. Patrick’s Day, enjoy Ireland’s vibrant culture, stunning landscape, and poignant storytelling in these films.

Note for parents: Not all of these films are suitable for the whole family.

Once (2007)

The colorful streets of Dublin make a striking backdrop for this film about a Czech pianist and Irish musician who meet and grow close over the course of a day. It’s a movie for and about musicians, where much of the story is told through song.

Mature teens and adults will enjoy this bittersweet, gently-told story about the power of music and beauty of serendipity. Watch on Amazon Prime Video or AppleTV.

Rated R for language.

The Secret of Roan Inish (1994)

A poignantly beautiful film about family, loss, and hope, The Secret of Roan Inish follows a little girl who believes family stories about selkie ancestors are connected to her younger brother’s disappearance. In Irish folklore, selkies appear as seals while in the water but assume human form on land.

Teaming up with her cousin to uncover their family history on the island of Roan Inish, she is aided in her efforts to restore the family by the storied seals of Irish legend. Available on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.

Rated PG, good for 'tweens and up.

Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959)

For fans of old Disney and even older stories of the Wee Folk, this cute film blends fairytale with family-friendly dramatic comedy, as well as Technicolor “special effects.”

Played by Albert Sharpe, Darby O’Gill is a lively father who matches wits with the King of the Leprechauns and finds love for his daughter. Featuring a young Sean Connery in his breakout role alongside Janet Munro, the characters are eccentric and fun in all the quintessentially Irish ways. Available on Disney+ and YouTube.

Rated G.

The Secret of Kells (2009)

Families with older kids will enjoy this adventure through ancient Irish folklore, following a young boy’s quest to complete the Book of Kells, which, in this tale, is an illuminated manuscript of mythical import.

Today, the Book of Kells can be seen in Trinity College Dublin, as a medieval illuminated manuscript of the Gospels. But, at the request of the studio, the fact that the Book of Kells is the Gospels is never mentioned in the film (which is a shame).

This film’s animation explodes with color and subtly evokes traditional illuminated manuscript art techniques. Watch on AppleTV and Amazon Prime Video.

It's unrated, but it's best for older grade-schoolers and up.

The Quiet Man (1952)

What list of Ireland-set films would be complete without the classic Taming of the Shrew-esque film The Quiet Man? It's one of Irish-American John Ford’s triumphal collaborations with John Wayne, about a stubborn, fiery family, and an American who returns to Ireland.

It co-stars Maureen O’Hara, whose delightful brogue can be heard in one of Family Theater Productions’ radio dramas, from 1947. Portions of the movie’s lovely scenery were shot in the stunning countryside of Family Theater founder Venerable Patrick Peyton’s birthplace, Ireland's County Mayo.

Suitable for all ages (but younger kids probably won't be interested in the romance angle). Available on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

Calvary (2014)

Let's be clear up front, this one is emphatically NOT for the whole family, but for mature teens and up, it can be a difficult, but worthwhile, viewing experience.

British-Irish director John Michael McDonough brings to life the story of a kind, good Catholic priest (Brendan Gleason) who is threatened in the confessional by an abuse survivor. While dark at times and sometimes hard to watch, the film beautifully portrays a pastor who is deeply dedicated to his parishioners.

After you finish it, watch Bishop Robert Barron’s YouTube breakdown of “Calvary’s” theme of forgiveness.

Rated R for sexual references, language, brief strong violence and some drug use. See at Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.

The Man Behind the Feast Day

And, if you want to know more about the real St. Patrick, check out this short episode from our online series Catholic Central:

Image: Adobe Stock/Canva

Sophia Sariego is a Los Angeles native working in the pro-life movement. She loves Eucharistic Adoration, making music, and hitting the beaches in her spare time.